The Exeter Book (Jebson)/Guthlac A, B

Guthlac A, B

Verse Indeterminate Saxon

Se bið gefeana fægrast         þonne hy æt frymðe gemetað,
engel ond seo eadge sawl!         Ofgiefeþ hio þas eorþan wynne,
forlæteð þas lænan dreamas,         ond hio wiþ þam lice gedæleð.
ðonne cwið se engel,         (hafað yldran had),

5

greteð gæst oþerne,         abeodeð him godes ærende:
"Nu þu most feran         þider þu fundadest
longe ond gelome.         Ic þec lædan sceal.
Wegas þe sindon weþe,         ond wuldres leoht
torht ontyned.         Eart nu tidfara

10

to þam halgan ham."         þær næfre hreow cymeð,
edergong fore yrmþum,         ac þær biþ engla dream,
sib ond gesælignes,         ond sawla ræst,
ond þær a to feore         gefeon motun,
dryman mid dryhten,         þa þe his domas her

15

æfnað on eorþan.         He him ece lean
healdeð on heofonum,         þær se hyhsta
ealra cyninga cyning         ceastrum wealdeð.
ðæt sind þa getimbru         þe no tydriað,
ne þam fore yrmþum         þe þær in wuniað

20

lif aspringeð,         ac him bið lenge hu sel;
geoguþe brucað         ond godes miltsa.
þider soðfæstra         sawla motun
cuman æfter cwealme,         þa þe her Cristes æ
lærað ond læstað,         ond his lof rærað;

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oferwinnað þa awyrgdan gæstas,         bigytað him wuldres ræste,
hwider sceal þæs monnes         mod astigan,
ær oþþe æfter,         þonne he his ænne her
gæst bigonge,         þæt se gode mote,
womma clæne,         in geweald cuman.

30

Monge sindon         geond middangeard
hadas under heofonum,         þa þe in haligra
rim arisað.         We þæs ryht magun
æt æghwylcum         anra gehyran,
gif we halig bebodu         healdan willað;

35

mæg nu snottor guma         sæle brucan
godra tida,         ond his gæste forð
weges willian.         Woruld is onhrered,
colaþ Cristes lufu,         sindan costinga
geond middangeard         monge arisene,

40

swa þæt geara iu         godes spelbodan
wordum sægdon         ond þurh witedom
eal anemdon,         swa hit nu gongeð.
Ealdað eorþan blæd         æþela gehwylcre
ond of wlite wendað         wæstma gecyndu;

45

bið seo siþre tid         sæda gehwylces
mætræ in mægne.         Forþon se mon ne þearf
to þisse worulde         wyrpe gehycgan,
þæt he us fægran         gefean bringe
ofer þa niþas         þe we nu dreogað,

50

ærþon endien         ealle gesceafte
ða he gesette         on siex dagum,
ða nu under heofonum         hadas cennað,
micle ond mæte.         Is þes middangeard
dalum gedæled.         Dryhten sceawað

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hwær þa eardien         þe his æ healden;
gesihð he þa domas         dogra gehwylce
wonian ond wendan         of woruldryhte
ða he gesette         þurh his sylfes word.
He fela findeð,         fea beoð gecorene.

60

Sume him þæs hades         hlisan willað
wegan on wordum         ond þa weorc ne doð.
Bið him eorðwela         ofer þæt ece lif
hyhta hyhst,         se gehwylcum sceal
foldbuendra         fremde geweorþan.

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Forþon hy nu hyrwað         haligra mod,
ða þe him to heofonum         hyge staþeliað,
witon þæt se eðel         ece bideð
ealra þære mengu         þe geond middangeard
dryhtne þeowiað         ond þæs deoran ham

70

wilniað bi gewyrhtum.         Swa þas woruldgestreon
on þa mæran god         bimutad weorþað,
ðonne þæt gegyrnað         þa þe him godes egsa
hleonaþ ofer heafdum.         Hy þy hyhstan beoð
þrymme geþreade,         þisses lifes

75

þurh bibodu brucað         ond þæs betran forð
wyscað ond wenaþ.         Wuldres bycgað,
sellað ælmessan,         earme frefrað,
beoð rummode         ryhtra gestreona,
lufiað mid lacum         þa þe læs agun,

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dæghwam dryhtne þeowiaþ.         He hyra dæde sceawað.
Sume þa wuniað         on westennum,
secað ond gesittað         sylfra willum
hamas on heolstrum.         Hy ðæs heofoncundan
boldes bidað.         Oft him brogan to

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laðne gelædeð,         se þe him lifes ofonn,
eaweð him egsan,         hwilum idel wuldor,
brægdwis bona         hafað bega cræft,
eahteð anbuendra.         Fore him englas stondað,
gearwe mid gæsta wæpnum,         beoþ hyra geoca gemyndge,

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healdað haligra feorh,         witon hyra hyht mid dryhten.
þæt synd þa gecostan cempan         þa þam cyninge þeowað,
se næfre þa lean alegeð         þam þe his lufan adreogeð.
Magun we nu nemnan         þæt us neah gewearð
þurh haligne         had gecyþed,

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hu Guðlac his         in godes willan
mod gerehte,         man eall forseah,
eorðlic æþelu,         upp gemunde
ham in heofonum.         Him wæs hyht to þam,
siþþan hine inlyhte         se þe lifes weg

100

gæstum gearwað,         ond him giefe sealde
engelcunde,         þæt he ana ongan
beorgseþel bugan,         ond his blæd gode
þurh eaðmedu         ealne gesealde,
ðone þe he on geoguðe         bigan sceolde

105

worulde wynnum.         Hine weard biheold
halig of heofonum,         se þæt hluttre mod
in þæs gæstes god         georne trymede.
Hwæt, we hyrdon oft         þæt se halga wer
in þa ærestan         ældu gelufade

110

frecnessa fela!         Fyrst wæs swa þeana
in godes dome,         hwonne Guðlace
on his ondgietan         engel sealde
þæt him sweðraden         synna lustas.
Tid wæs toweard;         hine twegen ymb

115

weardas wacedon,         þa gewin drugon,
engel dryhtnes         ond se atela gæst.
Nalæs hy him gelice         lare bæron
in his modes gemynd         mongum tidum.
Oþer him þas eorþan         ealle sægde

120

læne under lyfte,         ond þa longan god
herede on heofonum,         þær haligra
sawla gesittað         in sigorwuldre
dryhtnes dreamas;         he him dæda lean
georne gieldeð,         þam þe his giefe willað

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þicgan to þonce         ond him þas woruld
uttor lætan         þonne þæt ece lif.
Oþer hyne scyhte,         þæt he sceaðena gemot
nihtes sohte         ond þurh neþinge
wunne æfter worulde,         swa doð wræcmæcgas

130

þa þe ne bimurnað         monnes feore
þæs þe him to honda         huþe gelædeð,
butan hy þy reafe         rædan motan.
Swa hy hine trymedon         on twa healfa
oþþæt þæs gewinnes         weoroda dryhten

135

on þæs engles dom         ende gereahte.
Feond wæs geflymed;         siþ þam frofre gæst
in Guðlaces         geoce gewunade,
lufade hine ond lærde         lenge hu geornor,
þæt him leofedan         londes wynne,

140

bold on beorhge.         Oft þær broga cwom
egeslic ond uncuð,         ealdfeonda nið,
searocræftum swiþ;         hy him sylf hyra
onsyn ywdon,         ond þær ær fela
setla gesæton.         þonan sið tugon

145

wide waðe,         wuldre byscyrede,
lyftlacende.         Wæs seo londes stow
bimiþen fore monnum,         oþþæt meotud onwrah
beorg on bearwe,         þa se bytla cwom
se þær haligne         ham arærde,

150

nales þy he giemde         þurh gitsunga
lænes lifwelan,         ac þæt lond gode
fægre gefreoþode,         siþþan feond oferwon
Cristes cempa.         He gecostad wearð
in gemyndigra         monna tidum,

155

ðara þe nu gena         þurh gæstlicu
wundor hine weorðiað         ond his wisdomes
hlisan healdað,         þæt se halga þeow
elne geeode,         þa he ana gesæt
dygle stowe.         ðær he dryhtnes lof

160

reahte ond rærde;         oft þurh reorde abead,
þam þe þrowera         þeawas lufedon,
godes ærendu,         þa him gæst onwrah
lifes snyttru,         þæt he his lichoman
wynna forwyrnde         ond woruldblissa,

165

seftra setla         ond symbeldaga,
swylce eac idelra         eagena wynna,
gierelan gielplices.         Him wæs godes egsa
mara in gemyndum         þonne he menniscum
þrymme æfter þonce         þegan wolde.

170

God wæs Guðlac!         He in gæste bær
heofoncundne hyht,         hælu geræhte
ecan lifes.         Him wæs engel neah,
fæle freoðuweard,         þam þe feara sum
mearclond gesæt.         þær he mongum wearð

175

bysen on Brytene,         siþþan biorg gestah
eadig oretta,         ondwiges heard.
Gyrede hine georne         mid gæstlicum
wæpnum         wong bletsade,
him to ætstælle         ærest arærde

180

Cristes rode,         þær se cempa oferwon
frecnessa fela.         Frome wurdun monge
godes þrowera;         we þæs Guðlaces
deorwyrðne dæl         dryhtne cennað.
He him sige sealde         ond snyttrucræft,

185

mundbyrd meahta,         þonne mengu cwom
feonda færscytum         fæhðe ræran.
Ne meahton hy æfeste         anforlætan,
ac to Guðlaces         gæste gelæddun
frasunga fela.         Him wæs fultum neah,

190

engel hine elne trymede,         þonne hy him yrre hweopan,
frecne fyres wylme.         Stodan him on feðehwearfum,
cwædon þæt he on þam beorge         byrnan sceolde
ond his lichoman         lig forswelgan,
þæt his earfeþu         eal gelumpe

195

modcearu mægum,         gif he monna dream
of þam orlege         eft ne wolde
sylfa gesecan,         ond his sibbe ryht
mid moncynne         maran cræfte
willum bewitigan,         lætan wræce stille.

200

Swa him yrsade,         se for ealle spræc
feonda mengu.         No þy forhtra wæs
Guðlaces gæst,         ac him god sealde
ellen wiþ þam egsan         þæt þæs ealdfeondes
scyldigra scolu         scome þrowedon;

205

wæron teonsmiðas         tornes fulle,
cwædon þæt him Guðlac         eac gode sylfum
earfeþa mæst         ana gefremede,
siþþan he for wlence         on westenne
beorgas bræce,         þær hy bidinge,

210

earme ondsacan,         æror mostun
æfter tintergum         tidum brucan,
ðonne hy of waþum         werge cwoman
restan ryneþragum,         rowe gefegon;
wæs him seo gelyfed         þurh lytel fæc.

215

Stod seo dygle stow         dryhtne in gemyndum
idel ond æmen,         eþelriehte feor,
bad bisæce         betran hyrdes.
To þon ealdfeondas         ondan noman,
swa hi singales         sorge dreogað.

220

Ne motun hi on eorþan         eardes brucan,
ne hy lyft swefeð         in leoma ræstum,
ac hy hleolease         hama þoliað,
in cearum cwiþað,         cwealmes wiscað,
willen þæt him dryhten         þurh deaðes cwealm

225

to hyra earfeða         ende geryme.
Ne mostun hy Guðlaces         gæste sceþþan,
ne þurh sarslege         sawle gedælan
wið lichoman,         ac hy ligesearwum
ahofun hearmstafas,         hleahtor alegdon,

230

sorge seofedon,         þa hi swiðra oferstag
weard on wonge.         Sceoldon wræcmæcgas
ofgiefan gnornende         grene beorgas.
Hwæþre hy þa gena,         godes ondsacan,
sægdon sarstafum,         swiþe geheton,

235

þæt he deaþa gedal         dreogan sceolde,
gif he leng bide         laþran gemotes,
hwonne hy mid mengu         maran cwome,
þa þe for his life         lyt sorgedon.
Guðlac him ongean þingode,         cwæð þæt hy gielpan ne þorftan

240

dædum wið dryhtnes meahtum.         "þeah þe ge me deað gehaten,
mec wile wið þam niþum genergan         se þe eowrum nydum wealdeð.
An is ælmihtig god,         se mec mæg eaðe gescyldan;
he min feorg freoþað.         Ic eow fela wille
soþa gesecgan.         Mæg ic þis setl on eow

245

butan earfeðum         ana geðringan.
Ne eam ic swa fealog,         swa ic eow fore stonde,
monna weorudes,         ac me mara dæl
in godcundum         gæstgerynum
wunað ond weaxeð,         se me wraþe healdeð.

250

Ic me anum her         eaðe getimbre
hus ond hleonað;         me on heofonum sind
lare gelonge.         Mec þæs lyt tweoþ
þæt me engel to         ealle gelædeð
spowende sped         spreca ond dæda.

255

Gewitað nu, awyrgde,         werigmode,
from þissum earde         þe ge her on stondað,
fleoð on feorweg.         Ic me frið wille
æt gode gegyrnan;         ne sceal min gæst mid eow
gedwolan dreogan,         ac mec dryhtnes hond

260

mundað mid mægne.         Her sceal min wesan
eorðlic eþel,         nales eower leng."
ða wearð breahtm hæfen.         Beorg ymbstodan
hwearfum wræcmæcgas.         Woð up astag,
cearfulra cirm.         Cleopedon monige,

265

feonda foresprecan,         firenum gulpon:
"Oft we ofersegon         bi sæm tweonum
þeoda þeawas,         þræce modigra,
þara þe in gelimpe         life weoldon.
No we oferhygdu         anes monnes

270

geond middangeard         maran fundon.
ðu þæt gehatest         þæt ðu ham on us
gegan wille,         ðe eart godes yrming.
Bi hwon scealt þu lifgan,         þeah þu lond age?
Ne þec mon hider         mose fedeð;

275

beoð þe hungor ond þurst         hearde gewinnan,
gif þu gewitest         swa wilde deor
ana from eþele.         Nis þæt onginn wiht!
Geswic þisses setles!         Ne mæg þec sellan ræd
mon gelæran         þonne þeos mengu eall.

280

We þe beoð holde         gif ðu us hyran wilt,
oþþe þec ungearo         eft gesecað
maran mægne,         þæt þe mon ne þearf
hondum hrinan,         ne þin hra feallan
wæpna wundum.         We þas wic magun

285

fotum afyllan;         folc in ðriceð
meara þreatum         ond monfarum.
Beoð þa gebolgne,         þa þec breodwiað,
tredað þec ond tergað,         ond hyra torn wrecað,
toberað þec blodgum lastum;         gif þu ure bidan þencest,

290

we þec niþa genægað.         Ongin þe generes wilnian,
far þær ðu freonda wene,         gif ðu þines feores recce."
Gearo wæs Guðlac,         hine god fremede
on ondsware         ond on elne strong.
Ne wond he for worde,         ac his wiþerbreocum

295

sorge gesægde,         cuðe him soð genog:
"Wid is þes westen,         wræcsetla fela,
eardas onhæle         earmra gæsta.
Sindon wærlogan         þe þa wic bugað.
þeah ge þa ealle         ut abanne,

300

ond eow eac gewyrce         widor sæce,
ge her ateoð         in þa tornwræce
sigeleasne sið.         No ic eow sweord ongean
mid gebolgne hond         oðberan þence,
worulde wæpen,         ne sceal þes wong gode

305

þurh blodgyte         gebuen weorðan,
ac ic minum Criste         cweman þence
leofran lace.         Nu ic þis lond gestag,
fela ge me earda         þurh idel word
aboden habbað.         Nis min breostsefa

310

forht ne fæge,         ac me friðe healdeð
ofer monna cyn         se þe mægna gehwæs
weorcum wealdeð.         Nis me wiht æt eow
leofes gelong,         ne ge me laþes wiht
gedon motun.         Ic eom dryhtnes þeow,

315

he mec þurh engel         oft afrefreð.
Forðon mec longeþas         lyt gegretað,
sorge sealdun,         nu mec sawelcund
hyrde bihealdeð.         Is min hyht mid god,
ne ic me eorðwelan         owiht sinne,

320

ne me mid mode         micles gyrne,
ac me dogra gehwam         dryhten sendeð
þurh monnes hond         mine þearfe."
Swa modgade,         se wið mongum stod,
awreðed weorðlice         wuldres cempa

325

engla mægne.         Gewat eal þonan
feonda mengu.         Ne wæs se fyrst micel
þe hi Guðlace         forgiefan þohtan.
He wæs on elne         ond on eaðmedum,
bad on beorge,         (wæs him botles neod),

330

forlet longeþas         lænra dreama.
No he hine wið monna         miltse gedælde,
ac gesynta bæd         sawla gehwylcre,
þonne he to eorðan         on þam anade
hleor onhylde.         Him of heofonum wearð

335

onbryrded breostsefa         bliðe gæste.
Oft eahtade,         (wæs him engel neah),
hu þisse worulde         wynna þorfte
mid his lichoman         læsast brucan.
No him fore egsan         earmra gæsta

340

treow getweode,         ne he tid forsæt
þæs þe he for his dryhtne         dreogan sceolde,
þæt hine æreste         elne binoman
slæpa sluman         oþþe sæne mod.
Swa sceal oretta         a in his mode

345

gode compian,         ond his gæst beran
oft on ondan         þam þe eahtan wile
sawla gehwylcre         þær he gesælan mæg.
Symle hy Guðlac         in godes willan
fromne fundon,         þonne flygereowe

350

þurh nihta genipu         neosan cwoman,
þa þe onhæle         eardas weredon,
hwæþre him þæs wonges         wyn sweðrade;
woldun þæt him to mode         fore monlufan
sorg gesohte,         þæt he siþ tuge

355

eft to eþle.         Ne wæs þæt ongin swylc,
ðonne hine engel         on þam anade
geornast grette         ond him giefe sealde,
þæt hine ne meahte         meotudes willan
longað gelettan,         ac he on þæs lareowes

360

wære gewunade.         Oft worde bicwæð:
"Huru, þæs bihofað,         se ðe him halig gæst
wisað on willan         ond his weorc trymað,
laþað hine liþum wordum,         gehateð him lifes ræste,
þæt he þæs latteowes         larum hyre,

365

ne lete him ealdfeond         eft oncyrran
mod from his meotude.         Hu sceal min cuman
gæst to geoce,         nemne ic gode sylle
hyrsumne hige,         þæt him heortan geþonc
...... ær oþþe sið         ende geweorðe,

370

þæt ge mec to wundre         wægan motun.
Ne mæg min lichoma         wið þas lænan gesceaft
deað gedælan,         ac he gedreosan sceal,
swa þeos eorðe eall         þe ic her on stonde.
ðeah ge minne flæschoman         fyres wylme

375

forgripen gromhydge         gifran lege,
næfre ge mec of þissum wordum onwendað         þendan mec min gewit gelæsteð.
þeah þe ge hine sarum forsæcen,         ne motan ge mine sawle gretan,
ac ge on betran gebringað.         Forðan ic gebidan wille
þæs þe me min dryhten demeð.         Nis me þæs deaþes sorg.

380

ðeah min ban ond blod         bu tu geweorþen
eorþan to eacan,         min se eca dæl
in gefean fareð,         þær he fægran
botles bruceð.         Nis þisses beorges setl
meodumre ne mara         þonne hit men duge

385

se þe in þrowingum         þeodnes willan
dæghwam dreogeð.         Ne sceal se dryhtnes þeow
in his modsefan         mare gelufian
eorþan æhtwelan         þonne his anes gemet,
þæt he his lichoman         lade hæbbe."

390

ða wæs eft swa ær         ealdfeonda nið,
wroht onwylled;         woð oþer
ne lythwon leoðode,         þonne in lyft astag
ceargesta cirm.         Symle Cristes lof
in Guðlaces         godum mode

395

weox ond wunade,         ond hine weoruda god
freoðade on foldan,         swa he feora gehwylc
healdeð in hælo,         þær se hyra gæst
þihð in þeawum.         He wæs þeara sum;
ne won he æfter worulde,         ac he in wuldre ahof

400

modes wynne.         Hwylc wæs mara þonne se?
An oretta         ussum tidum
cempa gecyðeð         þæt him Crist fore
woruldlicra ma         wundra gecyðde.
He hine scilde         wið sceðþendra

405

eglum onfengum         earmra gæsta;
wæron hy reowe         to ræsanne
gifrum grapum.         No god wolde
þæt seo sawl þæs         sar þrowade
in lichoman,         lyfde seþeana

410

þæt hy him mid hondum         hrinan mosten,
ond þæt frið wið hy         gefreoþad wære.
Hy hine þa hofun         on þa hean lyft,
sealdon him meahte         ofer monna cynn,
þæt he fore eagum         eall sceawode

415

under haligra         hyrda gewealdum
in mynsterum         monna gebæru,
þara þe hyra lifes         þurh lust brucan,
idlum æhtum         ond oferwlencum,
gierelum gielplicum,         swa bið geoguðe þeaw,

420

þær þæs ealdres         egsa ne styreð.
No þær þa feondas         gefeon þorfton,
ac þæs blædes hraðe         gebrocen hæfdon
þe him alyfed wæs         lytle hwile,
þæt hy his lichoman         leng ne mostan

425

witum wælan;         ne him wiht gescod
þæs þe hy him to teonan         þurhtogen hæfdon.
Læddun hine þa of lyfte         to þam leofestan
earde on eorðan,         þæt he eft gestag
beorg on bearwe.         Bonan gnornedon,

430

mændon murnende         þæt hy monnes bearn
þream oferþunge,         ond swa þearfendlic
him to earfeðum         ana cwome,
gif hy him ne meahte         maran sarum
gyldan gyrnwræce.         Guðlac sette

435

hyht in heofonas,         hælu getreowde,
hæfde feonda feng         feore gedyged.
Wæs seo æreste         earmra gæsta
costung ofercumen.         Cempa wunade
bliþe on beorge,         wæs his blæd mid god.

440

ðuhte him on mode         þæt se moncynnes
eadig wære         se þe his anum her
feore gefreoðade,         þæt him feondes hond
æt þam ytmestan         ende ne scode,
þonne him se dryhtnes         dom wisade

445

to þam nyhstan         nydgedale.
Hwæþre him þa gena         gyrna gemyndge
edwitsprecan         ermþu geheton
tornum teoncwidum.         Treow wæs gecyþed,
þætte Guðlace         god leanode

450

ellen mid arum,         þæt he ana gewon.
Him se werga gæst         wordum sægde:
"No we þe þus swiðe         swencan þorftan,
þær þu fromlice         freonda larum
hyran wolde,         þa þu hean ond earm

455

on þis orlege         ærest cwome,
ða þu gehete         þæt þec halig gæst
wið earfeþum         eaðe gescilde,
for þam myrcelse         þe þec monnes hond
from þinre onsyne         æþelum ahwyrfde.

460

In þam mægwlite         monge lifgað,
gyltum forgiefene;         nales gode þigað,
ac hy lichoman         fore lufan cwemað
wista wynnum.         Swa ge weorðmyndu
in dolum dreame         dryhtne gieldað.

465

Fela ge fore monnum miþað         þæs þe ge in mode gehycgað;
ne beoð eowre dæda dyrne,         þeah þe ge hy in dygle gefremme.
We þec in lyft gelæddun,         oftugon þe londes wynna,
woldun þu þe sylfa gesawe         þæt we þec soð onstældun.
Ealles þu þæs wite awunne;         forþon þu hit onwendan ne meahtes."

470

ða wæs agongen         þæt him god wolde
æfter þrowinga         þonc gegyldan
þæt he martyrhad         mode gelufade,
sealde him snyttru         on sefan gehygdum,
mægenfæste gemynd.         He wið mongum stod

475

ealdfeonda,         elne gebylded,
sægde him to sorge         þæt hy sigelease
þone grenan wong         ofgiefan sceoldan:
"Ge sind forscadene,         on eow scyld siteð!
Ne cunnon ge dryhten         duguþe biddan,

480

ne mid eaðmedum         are secan,
þeah þe eow alyfde         lytle hwile,
þæt ge min onwald         agan mosten;
ne ge þæt geþyldum         þicgan woldan,
ac mec yrringa         up gelæddon,

485

þæt ic of lyfte         londa getimbru
geseon meahte.         Wæs me swegles leoht
torht ontyned,         þeah ic torn druge.
Setton me in edwit         þæt ic eaðe forbær
rume regulas         ond reþe mod

490

geongra monna         in godes templum;
woldan þy gehyrwan         haligra lof,
sohtun þa sæmran,         ond þa sellan no
demdan æfter dædum.         Ne beoð þa dyrne swa þeah.
Ic eow soð siþþon         secgan wille.

495

God scop geoguðe         ond gumena dream;
ne magun þa æfteryld         in þam ærestan
blæde geberan,         ac hy blissiað
worulde wynnum,         oððæt wintra rim
gegæð in þa geoguðe,         þæt se gæst lufað

500

onsyn ond ætwist         yldran hades,
ðe gemete monige         geond middangeard
þeowiað in þeawum.         þeodum ywaþ
wisdom weras,         wlencu forleosað,
siððan geoguðe         geað gæst aflihð.

505

þæt ge ne scirað,         ac ge scyldigra
synne secgað,         soþfæstra no
mod ond monþeaw         mæran willað.
Gefeoð in firenum,         frofre ne wenað,
þæt ge wræcsiða         wyrpe gebiden.

510

Oft ge in gestalum stondað;         þæs cymeð steor of heofonum.
Me þonne sige sendeð         se usic semon mæg,
se þe lifa gehwæs         lengu wealdeð."
Swa hleoþrade         halig cempa;
wæs se martyre         from moncynnes

515

synnum asundrad.         Sceolde he sares þa gen
dæl adreogan,         ðeah þe dryhten his
witum weolde.         Hwæt, þæt wundra sum
monnum þuhte,         þæt he ma wolde
afrum onfengum         earme gæstas

520

hrinan leton,         ond þæt hwæþre gelomp!
Wæs þæt gen mara,         þæt he middangeard
sylfa gesohte,         ond his swat ageat
on bonena hond;         ahte bega geweald,
lifes ond deaðes,         þa he lustum dreag

525

eaðmod on eorðan         ehtendra nið.
Forþon is nu arlic         þæt we æfæstra
dæde demen,         secgen dryhtne lof
ealra þara bisena         þe us bec fore
þurh his wundra geweorc         wisdom cyþað.

530

Geofu wæs mid Guðlac         in godcundum
mægne gemeted.         Micel is to secgan
eall æfter orde,         þæt he on elne adreag:
ðone foregengan         fæder ælmihtig
wið onhælum         ealdorgewinnum

535

sylfa gesette,         þær his sawl wearð
clæne ond gecostad.         Cuð is wide
geond middangeard         þæt his mod geþah
in godes willan;         is þæs gen fela
to secgenne,         þæs þe he sylfa adreag

540

under nyðgista         nearwum clommum.
He þa sar forseah,         a þære sawle wel
þæs mundboran         þe þæt mod geheold,
þæt him ne getweode         treow in breostum,
ne him gnornunga         gæste scodun,

545

ac se hearda hyge         halig wunade,
oþþæt he þa bysgu         oferbiden hæfde.
þrea wæron þearle,         þegnas grimme,
ealle hy þam feore         fyl gehehton.
No hy hine to deaðe         deman moston,

550

synna hyrdas,         ac seo sawul bad
in lichoman         leofran tide.
Georne hy ongeaton         þæt hyne god wolde
nergan wið niþum         ond hyra nydwræce
deope deman.         Swa dryhten mæg,

555

ana ælmihtig,         eadigra gehwone
wið earfeþum         eaðe gescildan.
Hwæðre hine gebrohton         bolgenmode,
wraðe wræcmæcgas,         wuldres cempan,
halig husulbearn,         æt heldore,

560

þær firenfulra         fæge gæstas
æfter swyltcwale         secan onginnað
ingong ærest         in þæt atule hus,
niþer under næssas         neole grundas.
Hy hine bregdon,         budon orlege,

565

egsan ond ondan         arleaslice,
frecne fore,         swa bið feonda þeaw,
þonne hy soðfæstra         sawle willað
synnum beswican         ond searocræftum.
Ongunnon gromheorte         godes orettan

570

in sefan swencan,         swiþe geheton
þæt he in þone grimman gryre         gongan sceolde,
hweorfan gehyned         to helwarum,
ond þær in bendum         bryne þrowian.
Woldun hy geteon         mid torncwidum

575

earme aglæcan         in orwennysse,
meotudes cempan.         Hit ne meahte swa!
Cwædon cearfulle,         Criste laðe,
to Guðlace         mid grimnysse:
"Ne eart ðu gedefe,         ne dryhtnes þeow

580

clæne gecostad,         ne cempa god,
wordum ond weorcum         wel gecyþed,
halig in heortan.         Nu þu in helle scealt
deope gedufan,         nales dryhtnes leoht
habban in heofonum,         heahgetimbru,

585

seld on swegle,         forþon þu synna to fela,
facna gefremedes         in flæschoman.
We þe nu willað         womma gehwylces
lean forgieldan,         þær þe laþast bið
in ðam grimmestan         gæstgewinne."

590

Him se eadga wer         ondswarode,
Guðlac in gæste         mid godes mægne:
"Doð efne swa,         gif eow dryhten Crist,
lifes leohtfruma         lyfan wylle,
weoruda waldend,         þæt ge his wergengan

595

in þone laðan leg         lædan motan.
þæt is in gewealdum         wuldorcyninges,
se eow gehynde         ond in hæft bidraf
under nearone clom,         nergende Crist.
Eom ic eaðmod his         ombiehthera,

600

þeow geþyldig.         Ic geþafian sceal
æghwær ealles         his anne dom,
ond him geornlice         gæstgemyndum
wille wideferh         wesan underþyded,
hyran holdlice         minum hælende

605

þeawum ond geþyncðum,         ond him þoncian
ealra þara giefena         þe god gescop
englum ærest         ond eorðwarum;
ond ic bletsige         bliðe mode
lifes leohtfruman,         ond him lof singe

610

þurh gedefne dom         dæges ond nihtes,
herge in heortan         heofonrices weard.
þæt eow æfre ne bið         ufan alyfed
leohtes lissum,         þæt ge lof moten
dryhtne secgan,         ac ge deaðe sceolon

615

weallendne wean         wope besingan,
heaf in helle,         nales herenisse
halge habban         heofoncyninges.
Ic þone deman         in dagum minum
wille weorþian         wordum ond dædum,

620

lufian in life,         swa is lar ond ar
to spowendre         spræce gelæded,
þam þe in his weorcum         willan ræfnað.
Sindon ge wærlogan,         swa ge in wræcsiðe
longe lifdon,         lege bisencte,

625

swearte beswicene,         swegle benumene,
dreame bidrorene,         deaðe bifolene,
firenum bifongne,         feores orwenan,
þæt ge blindnesse         bote fundon.
Ge þa fægran gesceaft         in fyrndagum,

630

gæstlicne goddream,         gearo forsegon,
þa ge wiðhogdun         halgum dryhtne.
Ne mostun ge a wunian         in wyndagum,
ac mid scome scyldum         scofene wurdon
fore oferhygdum         in ece fyr,

635

ðær ge sceolon dreogan         deað ond þystro,
wop to widan ealdre;         næfre ge þæs wyrpe gebidað.
Ond ic þæt gelyfe         in liffruman,
ecne onwealdan         ealra gesceafta,
þæt he mec for miltsum         ond mægenspedum,

640

niðða nergend,         næfre wille
þurh ellenweorc         anforlætan,
þam ic longe         in lichoman
ond in minum gæste         gode campode
þurh monigfealdra         mægna gerynu.

645

Forðon ic getrywe         in þone torhtestan
þrynesse þrym,         se geþeahtingum
hafað in hondum         heofon ond eorðan,
þæt ge mec mid niþum         næfre motan
tornmode teon         in tintergu,

650

mine myrðran         ond mansceaþan,
swearte sigelease.         Eom ic soðlice
leohte geleafan         ond mid lufan dryhtnes
fægre gefylled         in minum feorhlocan,
breostum inbryrded         to þam betran ham,

655

leomum inlyhted         to þam leofestan
ecan earde,         þær is eþellond
fæger ond gefealic         in fæder wuldre,
ðær eow næfre         fore nergende
leohtes leoma         ne lifes hyht

660

in godes rice         agiefen weorþeð,
for þam oferhygdum         þe eow in mod astag
þurh idel gylp         ealles to swiðe.
Wendun ge ond woldun,         wiþerhycgende,
þæt ge scyppende         sceoldan gelice

665

wesan in wuldre.         Eow þær wyrs gelomp,
ða eow se waldend         wraðe bisencte
in þæt swearte susl,         þær eow siððan wæs
ad inæled         attre geblonden,
þurh deopne dom         dream afyrred,

670

engla gemana.         Swa nu awa sceal
wesan wideferh,         þæt ge wærnysse
brynewylm hæbben,         nales bletsunga.
Ne þurfun ge wenan,         wuldre biscyrede,
þæt ge mec synfulle         mid searocræftum

675

under scæd sconde         scufan motan,
ne in bælblæsan         bregdon on hinder
in helle hus,         þær eow is ham sceapen,
sweart sinnehte,         sacu butan ende,
grim gæstcwalu.         þær ge gnornende

680

deað sceolon dreogan,         ond ic dreama wyn
agan mid englum         in þam uplican
rodera rice,         þær is ryht cyning,
help ond hælu         hæleþa cynne,
duguð ond drohtað."         ða cwom dryhtnes ar,

685

halig of heofonum,         se þurh hleoþor abead
ufancundne ege         earmum gæstum;
het eft hraðe         unscyldigne
of þam wræcsiðe         wuldres cempan
lædan limhalne,         þæt se leofesta

690

gæst gegearwad         in godes wære
on gefean ferde.         ða wearð feonda þreat
acol for ðam egsan.         Ofermæcga spræc,
dyre dryhtnes þegn,         dæghluttre scan.
Hæfde Guðlaces         gæst in gewealdum

695

modig mundbora,         meahtum spedig,
þeostra þegnas         þreaniedlum bond,
nyd onsette         ond geneahhe bibead:
"Ne sy him banes bryce         ne blodig wund,
lices læla         ne laþes wiht,

700

þæs þe ge him to dare         gedon motan,
ac ge hine gesundne asettaþ         þær ge hine sylfne genoman.
He sceal þy wonge wealdan,         ne magon ge him þa wic forstondan.
Ic eom se dema,         se mec dryhten heht
snude gesecgan,         þæt ge him sara gehwylc

705

hondum gehælde,         ond him hearsume
on his sylfes dom         siþþan wæron.
Ne sceal ic mine onsyn         fore eowere
mengu miþan.         Ic eom meotudes þegn.
Eom ic þara twelfa sum         þe he getreoweste

710

under monnes hiw         mode gelufade.
He mec of heofonum         hider onsende,
geseah þæt ge on eorðan         fore æfstum
on his wergengan         wite legdon.
Is þæt min broþor,         mec his bysgu gehreaw.

715

Ic þæt gefremme,         þær se freond wunað
on þære socne,         þe ic þa sibbe wið hine
healdan wille,         nu ic his helpan mot,
þæt ge min onsynn         oft sceawiað.
Nu ic his geneahhe         neosan wille;

720

sceal ic his word ond his weorc         in gewitnesse
dryhtne lædon.         He his dæde conn."
ða wæs Guðlaces         gæst geblissad,
siþþan Bartholomeus         aboden hæfde
godes ærendu.         Gearwe stodun

725

hæftas hearsume,         þa þæs halgan word
lyt oferleordun.         Ongon þa leofne sið
dragan domeadig         dryhtnes cempa
to þam onwillan         eorðan dæle.
Hy hine bæron         ond him bryce heoldon,

730

hofon hine hondum         ond him hryre burgun.
Wæron hyra gongas         under godes egsan
smeþe ond gesefte.         Sigehreðig cwom
bytla to þam beorge.         Hine bletsadon
monge mægwlitas,         meaglum reordum,

735

treofugla tuddor,         tacnum cyðdon
eadges eftcyme.         Oft he him æte heold,
þonne hy him hungrige         ymb hond flugon
grædum gifre,         geoce gefegon.
Swa þæt milde mod         wið moncynnes

740

dreamum gedælde,         dryhtne þeowde,
genom him to wildeorum wynne,         siþþan he þas woruld forhogde.
Smolt wæs se sigewong         ond sele niwe,
fæger fugla reord,         folde geblowen;
geacas gear budon.         Guþlac moste

745

eadig ond onmod         eardes brucan.
Stod se grena wong         in godes wære;
hæfde se heorde,         se þe of heofonum cwom,
feondas afyrde.         Hwylc wæs fægerra
willa geworden         in wera life,

750

þara þe yldran         usse gemunde,
oþþe we selfe         siþþan cuþen?
Hwæt we þissa wundra         gewitan sindon!
Eall þas geeodon         in ussera
tida timan.         Forþon þæs tweogan ne þearf

755

ænig ofer eorðan         ælda cynnes,
ac swilc god wyrceð         gæsta lifes
to trumnaþe,         þy læs þa tydran mod
þa gewitnesse         wendan þurfe,
þonne hy in gesihþe         soþes brucað.

760

Swa se ælmihtiga         ealle gesceafte
lufað under lyfte         in lichoman,
monna mægðe         geond middangeard.
Wile se waldend         þæt we wisdom a
snyttrum swelgen,         þæt his soð fore us

765

on his giefena gyld         genge weorðe,
ða he us to are         ond to ondgiete
syleð ond sendeð,         sawlum rymeð
liþe lifwegas         leohte geræhte.
Nis þæt huru læsast         þæt seo lufu cyþeð,

770

þonne heo in monnes         mode getimbreð
gæstcunde gife,         swa he Guðlaces
dagas ond dæde         þurh his dom ahof.
Wæs se fruma fæstlic         feondum on ondan,
geseted wið synnum,         þær he siþþan lyt

775

wære gewonade,         oft his word gode
þurh eaðmedu         up onsende,
let his ben cuman         in þa beorhtan gesceaft,
þoncade þeodne         þæs þe he in þrowingum
bidan moste,         hwonne him betre lif

780

þurh godes willan         agyfen wurde.
Swa wæs Guðlaces         gæst gelæded
engla fæðmum         in uprodor,
fore onsyne         eces deman
læddon leoflice.         Him wæs lean geseald,

785

setl on swegle,         þær he symle mot
awo to ealdre         eardfæst wesan,
bliðe bidan.         Is him bearn godes
milde mundbora,         meahtig dryhten,
halig hyrde,         heofonrices weard.

790

Swa soðfæstra         sawla motun
in ecne geard         up gestigan
rodera rice,         þa þe ræfnað her
wordum ond weorcum         wuldorcyninges
lare longsume,         on hyra lifes tid

795

earniað on eorðan         ecan lifes,
hames in heahþu.         þæt beoð husulweras,
cempan gecorene,         Criste leofe,
berað in breostum         beorhtne geleafan,
haligne hyht,         heortan clæne

800

weorðiað waldend,         habbað wisne geþoht,
fusne on forðweg         to fæder eðle,
gearwaþ gæstes hus,         ond mid gleawnesse
feond oferfeohtað         ond firenlustas
forberað in breostum,         broþorsibbe

805

georne bigongað,         in godes willan
swencað hi sylfe,         sawle frætwað
halgum gehygdum,         heofoncyninges bibod
fremmað on foldan.         Fæsten lufiað,
beorgað him bealoniþ         ond gebedu secað,

810

swincað wið synnum,         healdað soð ond ryht.
Him þæt ne hreoweð         æfter hingonge,
ðonne hy hweorfað         in þa halgan burg,
gongað gegnunga         to Hierusalem,
þær hi to worulde         wynnum motun

815

godes onsyne         georne bihealdan,
sibbe ond gesihðe,         þær heo soð wunað,
wlitig, wuldorfæst,         ealne widan ferh
on lifgendra         londes wynne.
ðæt is wide cuð         wera cneorissum,

820

folcum gefræge,         þætte frymþa god
þone ærestan         ælda cynnes
of þære clænestan,         cyning ælmihtig,
foldan geworhte.         ða wæs fruma niwe
ælda tudres,         onstæl wynlic,

825

fæger ond gefealic.         Fæder wæs acenned
Adam ærest         þurh est godes
on neorxnawong,         þær him nænges wæs
willan onsyn,         ne welan brosnung,
ne lifes lyre         ne lices hryre,

830

ne dreames dryre         ne deaðes cyme,
ac he on þam lande         lifgan moste
ealra leahtra leas,         longe neotan
niwra gefeana.         þær he no þorfte
lifes ne lissa         in þam leohtan ham

835

þurh ælda tid         ende gebidan,
ac æfter fyrste         to þam færestan
heofonrices gefean         hweorfan mostan,
leomu lic somud         ond lifes gæst,
ond þær siþþan a         in sindreamum

840

to widan feore         wunian mostun
dryhtne on gesihðe,         butan deaðe forð,
gif hy halges word         healdan woldun
beorht in breostum,         ond his bebodu læstan,
æfnan on eðle.         Hy to ær aþreat

845

þæt hy waldendes         willan læsten,
ac his wif genom         wyrmes larum
blede forbodene,         ond of beame ahneop
wæstm biweredne         ofer word godes,
wuldorcyninges,         ond hyre were sealde

850

þurh deofles searo         deaðberende gyfl
þæt ða sinhiwan         to swylte geteah.
Siþþan se eþel         uðgenge wearð
Adame ond Euan,         eardwica cyst
beorht oðbroden,         ond hyra bearnum swa,

855

eaferum æfter,         þa hy on uncyððu,
scomum scudende,         scofene wurdon
on gewinworuld.         Weorces onguldon,
deopra firena,         þurh deaðes cwealm,
þe hy unsnyttrum         ær gefremedon.

860

þære synwræce         siþþan sceoldon
mægð ond mæcgas         morþres ongyldon,
godscyldge gyrn         þurh gæstgedal,
deopra firena.         Deað in geþrong
fira cynne,         feond rixade

865

geond middangeard.         Nænig monna wæs
of þam sigetudre         siþþan æfre
godes willan þæs georn,         ne gynnwised,
þæt he bibugan mæge         þone bitran drync
þone Eue fyrn         Adame geaf,

870

byrelade bryd geong;         þæt him bam gescod
in þam deoran ham.         Deað ricsade
ofer foldbuend,         þeah þe fela wære
gæsthaligra,         þær hi godes willan
on mislicum         monna gebihþum

875

æfter stedewonga         stowum fremedon;
sume ær, sume sið,         sume in urra
æfter tælmearce         tida gemyndum
sigorlean sohtun.         Us secgað bec
hu Guðlac wearð         þurh godes willan

880

eadig on Engle.         He him ece geceas
meaht ond mundbyrd.         Mære wurdon
his wundra geweorc         wide ond side,
breme æfter burgum         geond Bryten innan,
hu he monge oft         þurh meaht godes

885

gehælde hygegeomre         hefigra wita,
þe hine unsofte,         adle gebundne,
sarge gesohtun         of siðwegum,
freorigmode.         Symle frofre þær
æt þam godes cempan         gearwe fundon,

890

helpe ond hælo.         Nænig hæleþa is
þe areccan mæge         oþþe rim wite
ealra þara wundra         þe he in worulde her
þurh dryhtnes giefe         dugeþum gefremede.
Oft to þam wicum         weorude cwomun

895

deofla deaðmægen         duguþa byscyrede
hloþum þringan,         þær se halga þeow
elnes anhydig         eard weardade.
þær hy mislice         mongum reordum
on þam westenne         woðe hofun

900

hludne herecirm,         hiwes binotene,
dreamum bidrorene.         Dryhtnes cempa,
from folctoga,         feonda þreatum
wiðstod stronglice.         Næs seo stund latu
earmra gæsta,         ne þæt onbid long,

905

þæt þa wrohtsmiðas         wop ahofun,
hreopun hreðlease,         hleoþrum brugdon.
Hwilum wedende         swa wilde deor
cirmdon on corðre,         hwilum cyrdon eft
minne mansceaþan         on mennisc hiw

910

breahtma mæste,         hwilum brugdon eft
awyrgde wærlogan         on wyrmes bleo,
earme adloman         attre spiowdon.
Symle hy Guðlac         gearene fundon,
þonces gleawne.         He geþyldum bad,

915

þeah him feonda hloð         feorhcwealm bude.
Hwilum him to honda         hungre geþreatad
fleag fugla cyn,         þær hy feorhnere
witude fundon         ond hine weorðedon
meaglum stefnum.         Hwilum mennisce

920

aras eaðmedum         eft neosedon,
ond þær siðfrome         on þam sigewonge
æt þam halgan þeowan         helpe gemetton,
ferðþes frofre.         Nænig forþum wæs,
þæt he æwiscmod         eft siðade,

925

hean, hyhta leas,         ac se halga wer
ælda gehwylces         þurh þa æþelan meaht,
þe hine seoslige         sohtun on ðearfe,
hæleð hygegeomre,         hælde bu tu
lic ond sawle,         þenden lifes weard,

930

ece ælmihtig,         unnan wolde
þæt he blædes her         brucan moste,
worulde lifes.         Wæs gewinnes þa
yrmþa for eorðan         endedogor
þurh nydgedal         neah geþrungen,

935

siþþan he on westenne         wiceard geceas,
fiftynu gear,         þa wæs frofre gæst
eadgum æbodan         ufan onsended,
halig of heahþu.         Hreþer innan born,
afysed on forðsið.         Him færinga

940

adl in gewod.         He on elne swa þeah
ungeblyged bad         beorhtra gehata
bliþe in burgum.         Wæs þam bancofan
æfter nihtglome         neah geþrungen,
breosthord onboren.         Wæs se bliþa gæst

945

fus on forðweg.         Nolde fæder engla
in þisse wonsælgan         worulde life
leahtra leasne         longfyrst ofer þæt
wunian leton,         þe him on weorcum her
on his dagena tid         dædum gecwemde

950

elne unslawe.         ða se ælmihtiga
let his hond cuman         þær se halga þeow,
deormod on degle         domeadig bad,
heard ond hygerof.         Hyht wæs geniwad,
blis in breostum.         Wæs se bancofa

955

adle onæled,         inbendum fæst,
lichord onlocen.         Leomu hefegedon,
sarum gesohte.         He þæt soð gecneow
þæt hine ælmihtig         ufan neosade,
meotud fore miltsum.         He his modsefan

960

wið þam færhagan         fæste trymede
feonda gewinna.         Næs he forht seþeah,
ne seo adlþracu         egle on mode,
ne deaðgedal,         ac him dryhtnes lof
born in breostum,         brondhat lufu

965

sigorfæst in sefan,         seo him sara gehwylc
symle forswiðde.         Næs him sorgcearu
on þas lænan tid,         þeah his lic ond gæst
hyra somwiste,         sinhiwan tu,
deore gedælden.         Dagas forð scridun,

970

nihthelma genipu.         Wæs neah seo tid
þæt he fyrngewyrht         fyllan sceolde
þurh deaðes cyme,         domes hleotan,
efne þæs ilcan         þe usse yldran fyrn
frecne onfengon,         swa him biforan worhton

975

þa ærestan         ælda cynnes.
ða wæs Guðlace         on þa geocran tid
mægen gemeðgad,         mod swiþe heard,
elnes anhydig.         Wæs seo adl þearl,
hat ond heorogrim.         Hreþer innan weol,

980

born banloca.         Bryþen wæs ongunnen
þætte Adame         Eue gebyrmde
æt fruman worulde.         Feond byrlade
ærest þære idese,         ond heo Adame,
hyre swæsum were,         siþþan scencte

985

bittor bædeweg.         þæs þa byre siþþan
grimme onguldon         gafulrædenne
þurh ærgewyrht,         þætte ænig ne wæs
fyra cynnes         from fruman siððan
mon on moldan,         þætte meahte him

990

gebeorgan ond bibugan         þone bleatan drync,
deopan deaðweges,         ac him duru sylfa
on þa sliðnan tid         sona ontyneð,
ingong geopenað.         Ne mæg ænig þam
flæsce bifongen         feore wiðstondan,

995

ricra ne heanra,         ac hine ræseð on
gifrum grapum.         Swa wæs Guðlace
enge anhoga         ætryhte þa
æfter nihtscuan         neah geþyded,
wiga wælgifre.         Hine wunade mid

1000

an ombehtþegn,         se hine æghwylce
daga neosade.         Ongan ða deophydig,
gleawmod gongan         to godes temple,
þær he eþelbodan         inne wiste,
þone leofestan         lareow gecorenne,

1005

ond þa in eode         eadgum to spræce,
wolde hyrcnigan         halges lara,
mildes meþelcwida.         Fonde þa his mondryhten
adlwerigne;         him ðæt in gefeol
hefig æt heortan.         Hygesorge wæg,

1010

micle modceare.         Ongan ða his magu frignan:
"Hu gewearð þe þus,         winedryhten min,
fæder, freonda hleo,         ferð gebysgad,
nearwe genæged?         Ic næfre þe,
þeoden leofesta,         þyslicne ær

1015

gemette þus meðne.         Meaht þu meðelcwidum
worda gewealdan?         Is me on wene geþuht,
þæt þe untrymnes         adle gongum
on þisse nyhstan         niht bysgade,
sarbennum gesoht.         þæt me sorgna is

1020

hatost on hreþre,         ær þu hyge minne
ferð afrefre.         Wast þu, freodryhten,
hu þeos adle scyle         ende gesettan?"
Him þa sið oncwæð,         sona ne meahte
oroð up geteon;         wæs him in bogen

1025

bittor bancoþa.         Beald reordade
eadig on elne,         ondcwis ageaf:
"Ic wille secgan         þæt me sar gehran,
wærc in gewod         in ðisse wonnan niht,
lichord onleac.         Leomu hefegiað,

1030

sarum gesohte.         Sceal þis sawelhus,
fæge flæschoma,         foldærne biþeaht,
leomu lames geþacan,         legerbedde fæst
wunian wælræste.         Wiga nealæceð,
unlæt laces.         Ne bið þæs lengra swice

1035

sawelgedales         þonne seofon niht
fyrstgemearces,         þæt min feorh heonan
on þisse eahteþan         ende geseceð
dæg scriþende.         þonne dogor beoð
on moldwege         min forð scriþen,

1040

sorg gesweðrad,         ond ic siþþan mot
fore meotudes cneowum         meorda hleotan,
gingra geafena,         ond godes lomber
in sindreamum         siþþan awo
forð folgian;         is nu fus ðider

1045

gæst siþes georn.         Nu þu gearwe const
leoma lifgedal;         long is þis onbid
worulde lifes."         ða wæs wop ond heaf,
geongum geocor sefa,         geomrende hyge,
siþþan he gehyrde         þæt se halga wæs

1050

forðsiþes fus.         He þæs færspelles
fore his mondryhtne         modsorge wæg,
hefige æt heortan.         Hreþer innan swearc,
hyge hreowcearig,         þæs þe his hlaford geseah
ellorfusne.         He þæs onbæru

1055

habban ne meahte,         ac he hate let
torn þoliende         tearas geotan,
weallan wægdropan.         Wyrd ne meahte
in fægum leng         feorg gehealdan,
deore frætwe,         þonne him gedemed wæs.

1060

Ongeat gæsta halig         geomormodes
drusendne hyge.         Ongan þa duguþa hleo,
glædmod gode leof,         geongran retan,
wine leofestan         wordum negan:
"Ne beo þu unrot,         ðeah þeos adl me

1065

innan æle.         Nis me earfeðe
to geþolianne         þeodnes willan,
dryhtnes mines,         ne ic þæs deaðes hafu
on þas seocnan tid         sorge on mode,
ne ic me herehloðe         helle þegna

1070

swiðe onsitte,         ne mæg synne on me
facnes frumbearn         fyrene gestælan,
lices leahtor,         ac in lige sceolon
sorgwylmum soden         sar wanian,
wræcsið wepan,         wilna biscirede

1075

in þam deaðsele         duguða gehwylcre,
lufena ond lissa.         Min þæt leofe bearn,
ne beo þu on sefan to seoc.         Ic eom siþes fus
upeard niman         edleana georn
in þam ecan gefean,         ærgewyrhtum

1080

geseon sigora frean,         min þæt swæse bearn.
Nis me wracu ne gewin,         þæt ic wuldres god
sece swegelcyning,         þær is sib ond blis,
domfæstra dream,         dryhten ondweard,
þam ic georne         gæstgerynum,

1085

in þas dreorgan tid         dædum cwemde,
mode ond mægne.         Ic þa meorde wat
leahtorlease,         lean unhwilen,
halig on heahþu.         þær min hyht myneð
to gesecenne,         sawul fundað

1090

of licfate         to þam longan gefean
in eadwelan.         Nis þes eþel me
ne sar ne sorg.         Ic me sylfum wat
æfter lices hryre         lean unhwilen."
ða se wuldormaga         worda gestilde,

1095

rof runwita;         wæs him ræste neod,
reonigmodum.         Rodor swamode
ofer niðða bearn,         nihtrim scridon,
deorc ofer dugeðum.         þa se dæg bicwom
on þam se lifgenda         in lichoman,

1100

ece ælmihtig         ærist gefremede,
dryhten mid dreame,         ða he of deaðe aras
onwald of eorðan         in þa eastortid,
ealra þrymma þrym,         ðreata mæstne
to heofonum ahof,         ða he from helle astag.

1105

Swa se eadga wer         in þa æþelan tid
on þone beorhtan dæg         blissum hremig,
milde ond gemetfæst,         mægen unsofte
elne geæfnde.         Aras ða eorla wynn,
heard hygesnottor,         swa he hraþost meahte,

1110

meðe for ðam miclan bysgum.         Ongon þa his mod staþelian
leohte geleafan,         lac onsægde
deophycgende         dryhtne to willan
gæstgerynum         in godes temple,
ond his þegne ongon,         swa þam þeodne geras,

1115

þurh gæstes giefe         godspel bodian,
secgan sigortacnum,         ond his sefan trymman
wundrum to wuldre         in þa wlitigan gesceaft
to eadwelan,         swa he ær ne sið
æfre to ealdre         oðre swylce

1120

on þas lænan tid         lare gehyrde,
ne swa deoplice         dryhtnes geryne
þurh menniscne         muð areccan
on sidum sefan.         Him wæs soþra geþuht
þæt hit ufancundes         engles wære

1125

of swegldreamum,         swiþor micle
mægenþegnes word,         þonne æniges monnes lar,
wera ofer eorðan.         Him þæt wundra mæst
gesewen þuhte,         þæt swylc snyttrucræft
ænges hæleða her         hreþer weardade,

1130

dryhta bearna,         wæs þæs deoplic eall
word ond wisdom,         ond þæs weres stihtung,
mod ond mægencræft,         þe him meotud engla,
gæsta geocend         forgiefen hæfde.
Wæron feowere ða         forð gewitene

1135

dagas on rime,         þæs se dryhtnes þegn
on elne bad,         adle gebysgad,
sarum geswenced.         Ne he sorge wæg
geocorne sefan         gæstgedales,
dreorigne hyge.         Deað nealæcte,

1140

stop stalgongum,         strong ond hreðe
sohte sawelhus.         Com se seofeða dæg
ældum ondweard,         þæs þe him in gesonc,
hat, heortan neah,         hildescurum
flacor flanþracu,         feorhhord onleac,

1145

searocægum gesoht.         Ongon ða snottor hæle,
ar, onbehtþegn,         æþeles neosan
to þam halgan hofe,         fond þa hlingendne
fusne on forðsiþ         frean unwenne,
gæsthaligne         in godes temple

1150

soden sarwylmum.         Wæs þa sihste tid
on midne dæg,         wæs his mondryhtne
endedogor         ætryhte þa.
Nearwum genæged         nydcostingum,
awrecen wælpilum,         wlo ne meahte

1155

oroð up geteon,         ellenspræce
hleoþor ahebban.         Ongon ða hygegeomor,
freorig ond ferðwerig,         fusne gretan,
meðne modglædne,         bæd hine þurh mihta scyppend,
gif he his wordcwida         wealdan meahte,

1160

spræce ahebban,         þæt him on spellum gecyðde,
onwrige worda gongum,         hu he his wisna truwade,
drohtes on ðære dimman adle,         ærðon hine deað onsægde.
Him se eadga wer         ageaf ondsware,
leof mon leofum,         þeah he late meahte,

1165

eorl ellenheard,         oreþe gebredan:
"Min þæt swæse bearn,         nis nu swiþe feor
þam ytemestan         endedogor
nydgedales,         þæt ðu þa nyhstan scealt
in woruldlife         worda minra,

1170

næfre leana biloren,         lare gehyran,
noht longe ofer þis.         Læst ealle well
wære ond winescype,         word þa wit spræcon,
leofast manna."         "Næfre ic lufan sibbe,
þeoden, æt þearfe         þine forlæte

1175

asanian!"         "Beo þu on sið gearu,
siþþan lic ond leomu         ond þes lifes gæst
asundrien         somwist hyra
þurh feorggedal.         Fys æfter þon
þæt þu gesecge         sweostor minre,

1180

þære leofestan,         on longne weg
to þam fægran gefean         forðsið minne,
on ecne eard,         ond hyre eac gecyð
wordum minum,         þæt ic me warnade
hyre onsyne         ealle þrage

1185

in woruldlife,         for ðy ic wilnode
þæt wit unc eft         in þam ecan gefean
on sweglwuldre         geseon mostun
fore onsyne         eces deman
leahtra lease.         þær sceal lufu uncer

1190

wærfæst wunian,         þær wit wilna a
in ðære beorhtan byrig         brucan motun,
eades mid englum.         ðu hyre eac saga
þæt heo þis banfæt         beorge bifæste,
lame biluce,         lic orsawle

1195

in þeostorcofan,         þær hit þrage sceal
in sondhofe         siþþan wunian."
ða wearð modgeþanc         miclum gebisgad,
þream forþrycced,         þurh þæs þeodnes word,
ombehtþegne,         þa he ædre oncneow

1200

frean feorhgedal,         þæt hit feor ne wæs,
endedogor.         Ongon þa ofostlice
to his winedryhtne         wordum mæðlan:
"Ic þec halsige,         hæleþa leofost
gumena cynnes,         þurh gæsta weard,

1205

þæt þu hygesorge         heortan minre
geeþe, eorla wyn.         Nis þe ende feor,
þæs þe ic on galdrum         ongieten hæbbe.
Oft mec geomor sefa         gehþa gemanode,
hat æt heortan,         hyge gnornende

1210

nihtes nearwe,         ond ic næfre þe,
fæder, frofor min,         frignan dorste.
Symle ic gehyrde,         þonne heofones gim,
wyncondel wera,         west onhylde,
sweglbeorht sunne         setlgonges fus

1215

on æfentid,         oþerne mid þec,
þegn æt geþeahte.         Ic þæs þeodnes word,
ares uncuþes         oft neosendes,
dægwoman bitweon         ond þære deorcan niht,
meþelcwide mæcges,         ond on morgne swa,

1220

ongeat geomormod,         gæstes spræce,
gleawes in geardum.         Huru, ic giet ne wat,
ær þu me, frea min,         furþor cyðe
þurh cwide þinne,         hwonan his cyme sindon."
ða se eadga wer         ageaf ondsware

1225

leofum æfter longre hwile,         swa he late meahte,
elnes oncyðig,         oreþe gewealdan:
"Hwæt, þu me, wine min,         wordum nægest,
fusne frignest,         þæs þe ic furþum ær
æfre on ealdre         ængum ne wolde

1230

monna ofer moldan         melda weorðan,
þegne on þeode,         butan þe nu ða,
þy læs þæt wundredan         weras ond idesa,
ond on geað gutan,         gieddum mænden
bi me lifgendum.         Huru, ic nolde sylf

1235

þurh gielpcwide         gæstes mines
frofre gelettan,         ne fæder mines
æfre geæfnan,         æbylg godes.
Symle me onsende         sigedryhten min,
folca feorhgiefa,         siþþan ic furþum ongon

1240

on þone æfteran         anseld bugan
geargemearces,         gæst haligne,
engel ufancundne,         se mec efna gehwam,
meahtig meotudes þegn,         ond on morgne eft,
sigorfæst gesohte,         ond me sara gehwylc

1245

gehælde hygesorge,         ond me in hreþre bileac
wuldres wilboda         wisdomes giefe
micle monigfealdran         þonne ænig mon wite
in life her,         þe me alyfed nis
to gecyþenne         cwicra ængum

1250

on foldwege         fira cynnes,
þæt me ne meahte         monna ænig
bideaglian         hwæt he dearninga
on hyge hogde         heortan geþoncum,
siþþan he me fore eagum         onsyne wearð.

1255

A ic on mode mað         monna gehwylcne
þeodnes þrymcyme         oð þisne dæg.
Leofast monna,         nu ic for lufan þinre,
ond geferscype         þæt wit fyrn mid unc
longe læstan,         nelle ic lætan þe

1260

æfre unrotne         æfter ealdorlege
meðne modseocne         minre geweorðan,
soden sorgwælmum.         A ic sibbe wiþ þe
healdan wille.         Nu of hreþerlocan
to þam soþan gefean         sawel fundað.

1265

Nis seo tid latu,         tydrað þis banfæt,
greothord gnornað,         gæst hine fyseð
on ecne geard,         utsiþes georn
on sellan gesetu.         Nu ic swiðe eom
weorce gewergad."         ða to þam wage gesag,

1270

heafelan onhylde,         hyrde þa gena
ellen on innan.         Oroð stundum teah
mægne modig,         him of muðe cwom
swecca swetast.         Swylce on sumeres tid
stincað on stowum         staþelum fæste

1275

wynnum æfter wongum         wyrta geblowene,
hunigflowende,         swa þæs halgan wæs
ondlongne dæg         oþ æfen forð
oroð up hlæden.         þa se æþela glæm
setlgong sohte,         swearc norðrodor

1280

won under wolcnum,         woruld miste oferteah,
þystrum biþeahte,         þrong niht ofer tiht
londes frætwa.         ða cwom leohta mæst,
halig of heofonum         hædre scinan,
beorhte ofer burgsalu.         Bad se þe sceolde

1285

eadig on elne         endedogor,
awrecen wælstrælum.         Wuldres scima,
æþele ymb æþelne,         ondlonge niht
scan scirwered.         Scadu sweþredon,
tolysed under lyfte.         Wæs se leohta glæm

1290

ymb þæt halge hus,         heofonlic condel,
from æfenglome         oþþæt eastan cwom
ofer deop gelad         dægredwoma,
wedertacen wearm.         Aras se wuldormago,
eadig elnes gemyndig,         spræc to his onbehtþegne,

1295

torht to his treowum gesiþe:         "Tid is þæt þu fere,
ond þa ærendu         eal biþence,
ofestum læde,         swa ic þe ær bibead,
lac to leofre.         Nu of lice is,
goddreama georn,         gæst swiðe fus."

1300

Ahof þa his honda,         husle gereorded,
eaðmod þy æþelan gyfle,         swylce he his eagan ontynde,
halge heafdes gimmas,         biseah þa to heofona rice,
glædmod to geofona leanum,         ond þa his gæst onsende
weorcum wlitigne         in wuldres dream.

1305

ða wæs Guðlaces         gæst gelæded
eadig on upweg.         Englas feredun
to þam longan gefean,         lic colode,
belifd under lyfte.         ða þær leoht ascan,
beama beorhtast.         Eal þæt beacen wæs

1310

ymb þæt halge hus,         heofonlic leoma,
from foldan up         swylce fyren tor
ryht aræred         oð rodera hrof,
gesewen under swegle,         sunnan beorhtra,
æþeltungla wlite.         Engla þreatas

1315

sigeleoð sungon,         sweg wæs on lyfte
gehyred under heofonum,         haligra dream.
Swa se burgstede wæs         blissum gefylled,
swetum stencum         ond sweglwundrum,
eadges yrfestol,         engla hleoðres,

1320

eal innanweard.         þær wæs ænlicra
ond wynsumra         þonne hit in worulde mæge
stefn areccan,         hu se stenc ond se sweg,
heofonlic hleoþor         ond se halga song,
gehyred wæs,         heahþrym godes,

1325

breahtem æfter breahtme.         Beofode þæt ealond,
foldwong onþrong.         ða afyrhted wearð
ar, elnes biloren,         gewat þa ofestlice
beorn unhyðig,         þæt he bat gestag,
wæghengest wræc,         wæterþisa for,

1330

snel under sorgum.         Swegl hate scan,
blac ofer burgsalo.         Brimwudu scynde,
leoht, lade fus.         Lagumearg snyrede,
gehlæsted to hyðe,         þæt se hærnflota
æfter sundplegan         sondlond gespearn,

1335

grond wið greote.         Gnornsorge wæg
hate æt heortan,         hyge geomurne,
meðne modsefan,         se þe his mondryhten,
life bilidenne,         last weardian
wiste, wine leofne.         Him þæs wopes hring

1340

torne gemonade.         Teagor yðum weol,
hate hleordropan,         ond on hreþre wæg
micle modceare.         He þære mægeð sceolde
lace gelædan         laðspel to soð.
Cwom þa freorigferð         þær seo fæmne wæs,

1345

wuldres wynmæg.         He þa wyrd ne mað,
fæges forðsið.         Fusleoð agol
wineþearfende,         ond þæt word acwæð:
"Ellen biþ selast         þam þe oftost sceal
dreogan dryhtenbealu,         deope behycgan

1350

þroht þeodengedal,         þonne seo þrag cymeð,
wefen wyrdstafum.         þæt wat se þe sceal
aswæman sarigferð,         wat his sincgiefan
holdne biheledne.         He sceal hean þonan
geomor hweorfan.         þam bið gomenes wana

1355

ðe þa earfeða         oftost dreogeð
on sargum sefan.         Huru, ic swiðe ne þearf
hinsiþ behlehhan.         Is hlaford min,
beorna bealdor,         ond broþor þin,
se selesta         bi sæm tweonum

1360

þara þe we on Engle         æfre gefrunen
acennedne         þurh cildes had
gumena cynnes,         to godes dome,
werigra wraþu,         worulddreamum of,
winemæga wyn,         in wuldres þrym,

1365

gewiten, winiga hleo,         wica neosan
eardes on upweg.         Nu se eorðan dæl,
banhus abrocen         burgum in innan
wunað wælræste,         ond se wuldres dæl
of licfæte         in leoht godes

1370

sigorlean sohte,         ond þe secgan het
þæt git a mosten         in þam ecan gefean
mid þa sibgedryht         somudeard niman,
weorca wuldorlean,         willum neotan
blædes ond blissa.         Eac þe abeodan het

1375

sigedryhten min,         þa he wæs siþes fus,
þæt þu his lichoman,         leofast mægða,
eorðan biðeahte.         Nu þu ædre const
siðfæt minne.         Ic sceal sarigferð,
heanmod hweorfan,         hyge drusendne."